Yemen: return of ICRC and Red Crescent personnel held in Lahj

24-11-2011 News Release 11/241

Geneva (ICRC) – Two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff members and a Yemen Red Crescent Society volunteer who had been briefly held by armed individuals in a village in Lahj governorate, southern Yemen, returned to Aden today.

"This is a moment of relief for us and for the Yemen Red Crescent Society," said Eric Marclay, who heads the ICRC delegation in Yemen. "I would like to express our gratitude to all those who have contributed to this outcome."

On 22 November, the two ICRC staff members and Red Crescent volunteer left the city of Aden to distribute food rations and essential household items to displaced people in Lahj, but were prevented from returning to their office. The ICRC was in regular contact with them after the incident occurred. It also contacted the authorities concerned and other leaders in the area to request their assistance in arranging for the prompt return of the three humanitarian workers.